Pakistan and Saudi Arabia sign a defense cooperation agreement as Gulf Arab states become wary of US security guarantees.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif embrace each other on the day they sign a defense agreement, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday.

Dubai/Islamabad (Reuters) :

Saudi Arabia and nuclear-armed Pakistan signed a formal mutual defense pact on Wednesday, in a move that significantly strengthens a decades-long security partnership amid heightened regional tensions.

The enhanced defense ties come as Gulf Arab states grow increasingly wary about the reliability of the United States as their longstanding security guarantor.These worries were heightened by Israel's attack on Qatar last week. 

“This agreement is a culmination of years of discussions.This is not a response to specific countries or specific events but an institutionalization of longstanding and deep cooperation between our two countries,” a senior Saudi official told Reuters when asked about its timing.

Israel’s attempt to kill the political leaders of Hamas with airstrikes on Doha, while they were discussing a ceasefire proposal that Qatar is helping to mediate, infuriated Arab countries.

The pact could shift the strategic calculus in a complex region.Gulf monarchies, who are allies of Washington, have attempted to resolve long-standing security concerns by stabilizing ties with both Iran and Israel. But the Gaza war has upended the region and Gulf state Qatar has been subjected to direct hits twice in a year, once by Iran and once by Israel.

The Saudi deal comes months after Pakistan and India engaged in a brief military conflict in May.

India’s ministry of external affairs spokesman, Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on social media website X on Thursday that India was aware of the development, adding it would study its implications for New Delhi’s security and for regional stability.

The senior Saudi official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, acknowledged the need to balance relations with Pakistan’s rival, India, also a nuclear power.

The strength of our ties with India has never been greater. We will continue to grow this relationship and seek to contribute to regional peace whichever way we can.”

The official responded, "This is a comprehensive defensive agreement that encompasses all military means," when asked if Pakistan would be required to provide Saudi Arabia with a nuclear umbrella as part of the agreement.

After signing the agreement, Pakistani state television showed Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler of the kingdom, embracing. In attendance was Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, regarded as the country’s most powerful person.

“This agreement, which reflects the shared commitment of both nations to enhance their security and to achieving security and peace in the region and the world, aims to develop aspects of defense cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression.  

The agreement states that any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both,” a statement from the Pakistani prime minister’s office said.